"Want athletes to go out and perform with full determination without any tension" - IOA President PT Usha
PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has urged the Indian athletes to perform with utmost determination and a peaceful mind during the Paris Olympics 2024, as the body has taken care of all the required facilities. A launch event of the Indian contingent's official ceremonial and playing kit for the Paris 2024 Olympics was held on Sunday, June 30, where the legendary athlete spoke to the athletes.
PT Usha hopes the Indian athletes will give their best at the Olympics, beginning on July 26.
"This time I want athletes to go out and perform with full determination without any tension. We have provided them with all the facilities. A very good medical team is accompanying them for the competition. The kits selected are also class. The India House has also been introduced for our players. They have got facilities for physical, and mental well- being, sleep therapy etc. We hope they will give their best," she said (via ANI).
Speaking about the jersey, PT Usha said:
"It shows what India truly is (the ceremonial kit, which looks more traditional) and the playing kit also looks impressive."
A ceremonial send-off was organized by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) at the Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi on Sunday, June 30, for the Paris 2024 Olympics-bound Indian athletes.
Among the dignitaries who unveiled the kits of the Indian team were Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Madaviya, Honorable Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, and IOA President PT Usha.
The playing kit is designed by JSW Inspire, the ceremonial dress is designed by TASVA, and performance shoes and travel gear have been provided by PUMA. All of this was on display during a ramp walk by the athletes themselves.
"We have drawn a very athlete-centric plan to support our athletes" - PT Usha
Drawing from her experiences as an athlete, the IOA president, in her welcome address, said they have drawn up an athlete-centric plan to help the athletes perform at their peak and would not be short of sports science support in Paris.
"We have drawn up a very athlete-centric plan to support our athletes to perform at their peak in Paris. We have assembled a strong team under Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala's leadership. It includes sports medicine experts, wellness specialists, nutritionists, physiotherapists and a sleep scientist," she said (via Business Standard).
"For the first time, IOA will also give a participation allowance to the athletes and the coaching and support staff. I am confident India will come back from Paris with its best showing in any Olympics," she concluded.